Preview: Apertura 2010 Liguilla

Well the Liguilla is here. The final 8 teams are set and now have the shot for the title. Cruz Azul, Monterrey, Santos, America, San Luis, Jaguares, Pachuca, and Pumas are all looking to win this years Apertura 2010.

Based on the season stats and the consistency of teams, Cruz Azul and Monterrey are the biggest contenders for the title, Cruz Azul being the obvious favorite. Jaguares ended the season strong, while Santos was a finalist last season and has maintained a solid performance. The other four teams, have had decent seasons but have not been seen as serious contenders for the title. 

The defending champions, Toluca, did not qualify to this years liguilla, as well as highly popular Chivas that failed to qualify. Tigres was another team close to qualifying but the last results towards the end of the season did not favor their chances.

The bottom 5 teams seem to be at an average level of play based on points. America a 4th place team is only 2 points ahead of Pumas, which is the 8th place team. Between 4th and 8th place the difference is between 1 and 2 points. In the other hand the first place team, Cruz Azul has 39 points a difference of 14 points between their first round rivals, Pumas with 25 points.

Here is a preview of all 4 games, with predictions of the four teams to advance to the semi-finals. 

Cruz Azul Vs Pumas

(1st) Cruz Azul vs. (8th) Pumas

Apertura 2010 result: Pumas 2-0 Cruz Azul

Preview: Cruz Azul goes into the Liguilla as the favorite, they have been the most consistent team all season and look strong going into the Liguilla. Pumas qualified in the last game of the regular season, beating America 1-0 at Estadio Azteca.

With a difference of 14 points, the obvious choice in this leg is Cruz Azul. Cruz Azul goes into this Liguilla, with a 17 year drought with no title, and is looking to win its 9th title. Pumas on the other hand goes into this Liguilla with a young squad, looking to be the "surprise" of the season. 

Prediction: Cruz Azul advances 

Monterrey Vs Pachuca

(2nd) Monterrey vs. (7th) Pachuca

Apertura 2010 result: Monterrey 2-2 Pachuca

Preview: Monterrey ended their season on a bad note. In their final game vs. Chivas, Monterrey got three players sent off due to red cards. All three players being important figures on the team. Team captain, Luis Perez, defender Severo Meza, and goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco were all sent off in the last game of the season. To make matters worse for Monterrey, they will not rely on two other players called up to international duty, Walter Ayovi and Humberto Suazo. With a limited team, Monterrey coach Vucetich needs to look at his bench to supply his starting 11.

Pachuca in the other hand had an average season. Pachuca is also the team representing CONCACAF in this years Club World Cup this December, possibly setting their priorities, Pachuca might field a secondary starting lineup to save their main players for the December tournament. This is possibly one of the most even series this Liguilla, because of the circumstances going into the game. 

Prediction: Monterrey advances

Santos Vs Jaguares

(3rd) Santos vs. (6th) Jaguares

Apertura 2010 result: Santos 1-0 Jaguares

Preview: Jaguares had a bad start to the season, winning their first game until week 7, but then lost only one game in the remaining 10. Jaguares is the surprise team of the season, and possibly will continue to surprise in the Liguilla. They have become a strong team at home, loosing only once all season.

Santos on the other had, was one of the 3 teams that reached 30 points in the season, but did not end the season well, winning 3 of their last 9 games. Another team that only lost once at home, this match up should have good games in both legs, each team showing their strength at home. Jaguares has the slight advantage, entering the Liguilla with a positive stretch towards the end of the regular season.

Prediction: Jaguares advances

America Vs San Luis

(4th) America vs. (5th) San Luis

Apertura 2010 result: America 2-1 San Luis

Preview: The most popular team in the final 8 teams in the Liguilla, America is always considered a contender by their fans every season. Having an irregular season, America ended the season with a loss to Pumas at home, breaking Americas 25 consecutive games without a loss at the Azteca Stadium. Still America comes in with a team stacked with many good players, but at times shows the lack of team chemistry between the team.

On the other hand San Luis, was the quiet team, making its way into the Liguilla, and surprisingly ending in 5th place overall. Their regular season game was an intense match that ended in a bit of controversy, but controversy always seems to follow this match up. Both teams being owned by the same owner, one cant help but speculate the competition of this match between "two brothers".

Prediction: America advances